Montgomery County launches 250th-anniversary celebration with wrapped Ride On bus

County Council President Natali Fani Gonzalez and County Executive Marc Elrich joined local leaders to unveil a specially wrapped Ride On bus that will travel across Montgomery County as part of the county's 250th-anniversary celebration, officials said.

The rollout, presented as the official launch of the semi-quincentennial, showcased imagery drawn from the county's past and present and was intended as a rolling tribute to “the people, places, and events that have shaped the county since its founding in 1776,” the program said. Speakers at the event included Montgomery County Recreation Director Gabe Albernaz and Montgomery History Executive Director Matt Logan.

“When we say that Montgomery County wants to move people around and give people that right to do it — and doing it with money in the sense of now Ride On is free — and the fact that we have a beautiful bus celebrating 250 years that is free for people to ride, I think that talks about our values and how we're evolving,” County Council President Natali Fani Gonzalez said.

Organizers said the commemorative bus will circulate throughout the community during the summer, and a calendar of events and programs tied to the 250th celebration is available at montgomery250.com.

Speakers emphasized the event as an opportunity both to honor the county's history and to connect that history to current priorities, including social and environmental justice and broader community access. The historical society leading many of the anniversary programs described the milestone as a chance to recognize the county’s past while acknowledging that its story continues to be written by current residents.

The county encouraged residents to check montgomery250.com for a full list of events and activities through the summer.